274 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



Blanche returned to her aunt, who at first appeared much dis- 

 pleased, Malcolm, having searched for her in vain through the 

 rooms ; but she was pacified by Lord Ayrshire's explanations, 

 and accepted his arm down-stairs. 



Malcolm rallied Blanche, when they reached home, on the 

 easy conquest she had achieved over the hitherto obdurate heart 

 of Lord Ayrshire. 



" Why, my dear, you are as irresistible as Caesar, who, with 

 his veni, vidi, vici, came and conquered the world by the sound 

 of his name. You are a second Circe, and have changed this 

 man of stone into a fawning devotee by the wand of your en- 

 chantment. All the Lady Marys and Lady Fannys in the room 

 were mad enough to scratch your eyes out, my love ; and the 

 men declared they had never seen Ayrshire so thoroughly 

 spell-bound before." 



" Charles, how can you talk such absurd nonsense ! " 



" Facts, my dear — facts, I assure you, 'pon rep, as Markham 

 says." 



"I must caution Blanche, notwithstanding," interposed 

 Lady Malcolm, " from trusting too much to the marquis's at- 

 tentions, who, although very agreeable, and a most desirable 

 parti, has become quite notorious for his flirting propensities 

 with every young girl on her first appearance. In short, he is 

 a mere butterfly, flitting round every fresh opening flower, 

 without intending anything further." 



" Thank you, dear aunt, for your friendly warning," replied 

 Blanche, " although I am not aware of having given Lord 

 Ayrshire the slightest encouragement." 



" What will be said, and what was said, of a Miss Douglas 

 withdrawing from the company and sitting for half an hour 

 with Lord Ayrshire alone in his sister's boudoir 1 D'ye call 

 that nothing, by way of encouraging a man's addresses 1 " asked 

 Malcolm, jestingly. "Why, I overheard Lady Fanny Trimmer 

 exclaiming loud enough to be heard by half the room, 'Only 

 think of that demure, bashful-looking girl playing the flirt 

 already with Ayrshire, shut up together half the night in Lady 

 Arnmore's sanctum ! ' People will talk, Blanche, and this story 

 will be circulated through her ladyship's extensive circle of ac- 

 quaintances before this time to-morrow night, and lose nothing 

 by carrying." 



" Indeed, Charles, I could not have been there more than 

 twenty minutes, if so long ; but feeling ready to faint from the 

 excessive heat, I accej)ted Lord Ayrshire's offer of taking me for 



